Advising First Generation College Students
Terre Lucas
Building Educational Strengths and Talents (BEST) Program
Cathy Blat
University Center for Academic Excellence
Fall 2011 – New Freshmen Demographics
FG
(N = 1,007)
Non FG/Blank
(N = 2,162)
Total
(N = 3,169)
AFRICAN AMERICAN
14.0%
14.8%
14.5%
AMERICAN INDIAN
0.8%
0.3%
0.5%
ASIAN
7.1%
4.2%
5.1%
HISPANIC
8.8%
6.0%
6.9%
INTERNATIONAL
0.4%
3.2%
2.3%
MULTIPLE
4.7%
3.5%
3.8%
PACIFIC ISLANDER
0.0%
0.0%
0.0%
UNKNOWN
2.4%
3.2%
3.0%
WHITE
61.8%
64.7%
63.8%
Source: Institutional Research Census Data
Fall 2012 – New Freshmen Demographics
FG
(N = 1,033)
Non FG/Blank
(N = 2,508)
Total
(N = 3,541)
AFRICAN AMERICAN
13.5%
14.7%
14.3%
AMERICAN INDIAN
0.7%
0.5%
0.5%
ASIAN
6.0%
4.7%
5.1%
HISPANIC
11.1%
5.5%
7.1%
INTERNATIONAL
0.4%
2.4%
1.8%
MULTIPLE
4.9%
4.1%
4.3%
PACIFIC ISLANDER
0.1%
0.2%
0.1%
UNKNOWN
3.1%
2.6%
2.7%
WHITE
60.2%
65.4%
63.9%
Source: Institutional Research Census Data
Fall 2011 New Freshmen
Incoming Characteristics
FG
(N=1,007)
Non FG/Blank
(N=2,162)
Total
(N=3,169)
PGI
2.79
2.77
2.78
HS GPA
3.71
3.64
3.66
SAT V
515
527
523
SAT M
540
548
545
Source: Institutional Research Census Data
Fall 2012 New Freshmen
Incoming Characteristics
FG
(N=1,033)
Non FG/Blank
(N=2,508)
Total
(N=3,541)
PGI
2.84
2.82
2.83
HS GPA
3.76
3.69
3.71
SAT V
517
526
524
SAT M
544
552
550
Source: Institutional Research Census Data
Partnerships in Advising
Provide just in time information on resources to advisees
Beginning of the semester
Getting Organized Workshop
Complete a LASSI – Learning and Study Strategies Inventory
assessment followed by an Individual Consultation (IC) with a
GA
Tutoring/SupplementaI Instruction (SI) for potentially
challenging courses
Midterm
Bounce Back from Setbacks Workshop
Schedule an IC to discuss Time Management issues
Tutoring/SI for courses with midterm grade deficiency reports
Partnerships in Advising
Provide just in time information (continued)
End of the semester
Test Taking/Stress Management workshops
Final exam review sessions – Reading Day
Students on Probation
49er Rebound program
SOS Mentoring
Academic Strategies course (UCOL 1300)
Niner Focus
Encourage students to apply for Tutoring/SI positions
Building
Educational Strengths & Talents
BEST Profile
A federal TRIO Student Support Services Program
committed to facilitating the success of select populations
of students adjust to the culture of higher education.
Services offered include
BEST Choices Learning Community
UCOL1200(2), UCOL2200 (on demand) & LBST2212
Academic advising & coaching
Tutoring & access to other resources
Access to a private computer lab
Assistance with assessments & career exploration
Exposure to diverse cultural activities
Support for Select Populations
BEST is charged with facilitating the success of
college students who are
among the first in their family to attend college;
are from families with limited incomes; and/or
whose ability to learn is somehow impacted.
Additionally, all Achievers have an identified
academic need.
BEST Achievers, on average
93% - Good Standing
50% - GPA 3.0 or higher
Retention & graduation rates rival those of the
institution
At least one Achiever will study abroad each
semester
Flying Solo
Prepared For …
… Reality
Characteristics of First-Gens
Less, different type of, parental support
Diverse perceptions of the first-gen experience
Different expectations
Lower self-esteem
Lack of preparedness
The “New” Unpreparedness
Recent definitions of “underpreparedness” have
expanded to include a lack of understanding
about behavioral skills needed to succeed (which includes a
pervasive unwillingness to take an instructors’ advice)
that learning is an active, shared responsibility with faculty
Sally Rings, 2001
Registration & Advising
“Who should I talk to (Where should I go to talk) about …”
“What does this mean to …”
“When should I …”
“Why am I taking this …”
“How do I address …”
Pillars of BEST Advising: Intentionality
Impact of statement, “You should have known…”
Flying solo
Allocation of resources
Personal SMART Goal(s)
Questions & curiosity
Community
Willful blindness
“Get our hands dirty”
“If it takes a village to raise a child, build one!” Malik Compton Rock
Academic Coaching
What’s your story?
Why are you here (… and so I want to help people)?
How will you make “it” happen?
Appreciation for academic advising
Advising Drives Success
Advisors – know how the car works and they teach new car owners how
to use the Owners Manual
Mentors – share his or her personal experience about becoming an
expert driver
Coaches – sit in the passenger seat and support the driver in doing
whatever it takes to develop his or her own driving style
The Next Steps
CAP workshops
Individual Consultation (IC)
Celebrate “Trailblazers”, “Survivors” and “Overcomers”
Find your point of connection
Think in advance about how you’ll relate
Be mindful of hidden “isms”
Work together to create an academic community
Mention goals to students
Ask them for their question
Hone your “one question” & share it so we can follow up
Referrals
…How can we make this happen?
… Thank you
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